Ranchi, April 20: Failure of the state police to ensure a major success against CPI (Maoist) cadres during the ongoing Operation Greenhunt today prompted director general of police Neyaz Ahmed to opt for change in strategy and strengthen the human intelligence network for better results.

The police headquarters today discussed the “not so encouraging operation results”, and any fault on the part of planning and execution was discussed, as was ways to optimise results.

The strictly confidential closed-door meet chaired by Ahmed was attended by police superintendents of West and East Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Khunti, Ranchi, Gumla and Simdega.

Besides inspector general (operations) D.K. Pandey, inspector general (Ranchi zone) Rezi Dungdung and deputy inspector general of police (south Chotanagpur) R. K. Mallick were among those who also attended the meet.

“We have been told to improve the human intelligence network and launch operations as soon as we get solid intelligence input. As long-term planning is not giving the desired results, we have been told to act swiftly after every reliable intelligence input,” said a police superintendent, requesting anonymity.

It was felt that recent search operations in Saranda and Rania-Saude bore no fruit despite the presence of armed cadres of various outfits in those areas.

Moreover, a day after the security forces left Saranda, rebels blew up two water pump houses inside the jungles giving an indication that they are very much present in their safe territories. But during the joint operations by the CRPF and state police, the forces did stumble upon a land mine and a camp.

Till now no arms or ammunition have been recovered by the forces from Naxalite strongholds of areas bordering Bengal like Ghatshila in East Singhbhum, Saranda in West Singhbhum and other places.

The high-level meeting also discussed the success of the police and CRPF in Lalgarh in West Midnapore district of Bengal.

In Jharkhand, an alleged Naxalite was killed in Patamda area while IG (Operations) D.K. Pandey claimed that about a dozen area commander rank rebels had been nabbed in the last two months.

“Besides, arms have been recovered from Bokaro and Gumla districts,” said Pandey.

Pandey said the state police and CRPF are now dominating the areas between Taimara and Rargaon (Ranchi-Jamshedpur road), the Chowka-Kandra route and Saranda, which were earlier liberated zones for the Naxalites.

The state police brass also felt that the rebels have not been able to attack or ambush the police forces which itself was testimony that they were on the backfoot.

“But they are always on the lookout for some loose moments to trap forces napping in their respective territories,” warned another senior policeman.

Ahmed could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Intelligence inputs suggest that CPI (Maoist) cadres have now concentrated themselves in Saranda-Goelkera-Rania and Kuchai-Chowka areas.